Global Sorbitan Monostearate Market Size, Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Product Form (Liquid and Powder), By Application (Food and Beverage, Pharmaceuticals, Cosmetics and Personal Care, and Others), and By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa), Analysis and Forecast 2025 - 2035

Global Sorbitan Monostearate Market Insights Forecasts to 2035

• The Global Sorbitan Monostearate Market Size Was Estimated at USD 798.5 Million in 2024
• The Market Size is Expected to Grow at a CAGR of around 5.1% from 2025 to 2035
• The Worldwide Sorbitan Monostearate Market Size is Expected to Reach USD 1380.7 Million by 2035
• North America is expected to grow the fastest during the forecast period.

According to a research report published by Spherical Insights and Consulting, the global sorbitan monostearate market size was worth around USD 798.5 million in 2024 and is predicted to grow to around USD 1380.7 million by 2035 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.1% from 2025 to 2035. The versatile applications of sorbitan monostearate in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals, increased demand for processed foods and personal care products, and its increasing adoption as a natural emulsifier and stabilizer are some factors driving the sorbitan monostearate market growth.

Market Overview

The Global Sorbitan Monostearate Market encompasses the production and application of sorbitan monostearate, a non-ionic surfactant and emulsifier widely used across the food, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and personal care industries. It is valued for its ability to stabilize emulsions, improve texture, and enhance product consistency making it an essential ingredient in baked goods, confectionery, creams, lotions, and pharmaceutical formulations.In the food industry, sorbitan monostearate is primarily used to improve texture, prevent crystallization, and extend the shelf life of processed foods. Within cosmetics and personal care, it enhances the stability, smoothness, and spreadability of creams, lotions, and ointments. In pharmaceuticals, it serves as a solubilizer, stabilizer, and dispersing agent in various drug formulations.The market’s growth is being driven by increasing demand for processed and convenience foods, rising consumption of personal care products, and growing consumer awareness of natural, safe, and multifunctional ingredients. Technological advancements—particularly the development of eco-friendly and high-performance emulsifiers  are further fueling market expansion. Emerging markets present additional opportunities, supported by rising industrial activity, higher disposable incomes, and evolving consumer preferences.Leading market participants such as Croda International, BASF SE, DuPont, Palsgaard AS, and Lonza Group are focusing on product innovation, strategic collaborations, and capacity expansion to strengthen their global presence. Continuous R&D efforts, increased cross-industry applications, and a growing shift toward clean-label and sustainable products are expected to sustain steady growth in the global sorbitan monostearate market.In June 2025, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) FAF Panel affirmed the safety of modifying the use of sorbitan monostearate (E 491) in asparaginase (ARY) food enzyme preparations. The EFSA ANS Panel had previously re-evaluated sorbitan esters (E 491–E 495) in 2017 and established a group Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of 10 mg/kg body weight per day, applicable to all these additives.

Report Coverage

This research report categorizes the sorbitan monostearate market based on various segments and regions, forecasts revenue growth, and analyzes trends in each submarket. The report analyses the key growth drivers, opportunities, and challenges influencing the sorbitan monostearate market. Recent market developments and competitive strategies such as expansion, type launch, development, partnership, merger, and acquisition, have been included to draw the competitive landscape in the market. The report strategically identifies and profiles the key market players and analyses their core competencies in each sub-segment of the sorbitan monostearate market. 

Driving Factors

The Sorbitan Monostearate Market Size is driven by its wide application across industries like food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and personal care due to its emulsifying, stabilizing, and surfactant properties. Increasing demand for processed and ready-to-eat foods drives the demand for its application as an additive to improve the texture and increase the shelf life of foods. In cosmetics and personal care applications, it is considered valuable due to its improvement of the consistency of cream and lotion, and as a pharmaceutical ingredient, it serves as a stabilizer and solubilizer in certain drug formulations. Besides, growing awareness of clean-label and multifunctional ingredients, together with the extension of industrial production and innovative formulation, contributes to further market growth worldwide.

Restraining Factors

Factors that restrain the growth of the sorbitan monostearate market size globally include fluctuations in raw material prices, strict regulatory standards related to its use in food and pharmaceutical applications, and environmental concerns with production processes. Additionally, the availability of alternative emulsifiers and synthetic substitutes checks adoption, thereby challenging consistent market growth across various industries.

Market Segmentation

The sorbitan monostearate market share is classified into product form and application.  

• The liquid segment dominated the market in 2024, approximately 58% and is projected to grow at a substantial CAGR during the forecast period.

Based on the product form, the sorbitan monostearate market size is divided into liquid and powder. Among these, the liquid segment dominated the market in 2024 and is projected to grow at a substantial CAGR during the forecast period. The liquid form is in high demand due to its good solubility, excellent dispersion, and ease of mixing in emulsified systems. Widely utilized in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries, it further ensures the uniformity and stability of texture. Growing demand for liquid emulsifiers in processed food, bakery items, personal care formulations, and industrial applications, combined with advancements in production technology, also support this segment’s continued growth in the market.

• The food and beverage segment accounted for the largest share in 2024, approximately 46% and is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

Based on the application, the sorbitan monostearate market is divided into food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and personal care, and others. Among these, the food and beverage segment accounted for the largest share in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. This is attributed to its applications as an emulsifier, stabiliser, and texturising agent in bakery, confectionery, dairy, and processed foods. This enhances product consistency, mouthfeel, and shelf life, along with maintaining uniform emulsions over a wide temperature range. Several other causes contributing toward the growing demand for convenience foods, clean-label ingredients, and innovations in food processing technologies further support this segment's continuous market growth.

Regional Segment Analysis of the Sorbitan Monostearate Market

• North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico) 
• Europe (Germany, France, U.K., Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe)
• Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Rest of APAC)
• South America (Brazil and the Rest of South America) 
• The Middle East and Africa (UAE, South Africa, Rest of MEA)

Asia Pacific is anticipated to hold the largest share of the sorbitan monostearate market over the predicted timeframe.

Asia Pacific is anticipated to hold the largest share of the sorbitan monostearate market over the predicted timeframe. The Asia Pacific, due to rapid industrialization, rising population, and increasing demand for processed foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals, is expected to hold 42% of the share in the sorbitan monostearate market during the forecast period. Major countries such as China and India are major contributors owing to their large consumer base, expanding industries of food and beverages, and increasing urbanisation. Supportive government initiatives toward developing the manufacturing and food processing infrastructure, along with increasing disposable income, drive the market growth. Furthermore, the demand for clean-label and sustainable products in the region accelerates the adoption of sorbitan monostearate in a wide range of applications.

North America is expected to grow at a rapid CAGR in the sorbitan monostearate market during the forecast period. The North American region is rapidly growing in the sorbitan monostearate market during the forecast period, with an approximate 26% market share, driven by high demand for food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. The United States will remain key to this growth owing to advanced food processing infrastructure, strong regulatory support, and growing consumer preference for clean-label and convenient products. Increasing investments in research and development, emulsifier innovations, and growing awareness about product quality and safety further accelerate market growth, placing North America as a significant and one of the fastest-growing regions within this market.

The European market for sorbitan monostearate is seeing steady growth, mainly due to increasing demand in industries such as food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Among the European countries, Germany occupies an important position, due to its well-established food-processing industry, greater awareness among consumers regarding quality, and high regulatory standards pertaining to F&B products. Also, clean-label, sustainable, and performance-oriented ingredients influence the rate of adoption of sorbitan monostearate. Besides this factor, continuous innovation and expansion plans by the market participants in Europe also support this region's consistent market growth.

Competitive Analysis:

The report offers the appropriate analysis of the key organizations/companies involved within the sorbitan monostearate market size , along with a comparative evaluation primarily based on their type of offering, business overviews, geographic presence, enterprise strategies, segment market share, and SWOT analysis. The report also provides an elaborative analysis focusing on the current news and developments of the companies, which includes type development, innovations, joint ventures, partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, strategic alliances, and others. This allows for the evaluation of the overall competition within the market.

List of Key Companies

• Croda International Plc
• Evonik Industries
• Kao Chemicals
• Merck KGaA
• Fine Organics
• Estelle Chemicals Pvt. Ltd
• Amresco
• Hangzhou Fuchun Food Additive Co., Ltd.
• Mohini Organics Pvt Ltd
• Oleon Holding NV
• Plus Chem
• Akhil Healthcare
• Spectrum Chemical Manufacturing
• Triveni Interchem Pvt. Ltd
• Others

Key Target Audience

• Market Players
• Investors
• End-users
• Government Authorities 
• Consulting and Research Firm
• Venture capitalists
• Value-Added Resellers (VARs) 

Recent Development

• In April 2025, Godrej Industries’ Chemicals division acquired Savannah Surfactants’ food additives business, including its emulsifier and ester operations, strengthening Godrej’s portfolio and expanding its presence in the food ingredients market.

• In February 2025, Mohini Organics expanded its manufacturing capacity to meet the rising demand for cosmetic-grade sorbitan monostearate, enhancing production efficiency and market reach.

• In September 2024, Evonik inaugurated a new production plant for cosmetic emollients in Steinau, Germany. Using an enzymatic process, the multi-million-euro facility boosts production capacity, meets rising demand for sustainable cosmetics, and reduces the climate footprint for both Evonik and its customers.

• In March 2022, Spectrum Chemical Mfg. Corp, a global supplier of fine chemicals and lab equipment, announced the addition of 12 new products to its expanding bioCERTIFIED quality management and chemicals portfolio, supporting biopharmaceutical manufacturing and quality assurance.

Market Segment

This study forecasts revenue at global, regional, and country levels from 2020 to 2035. Spherical Insights has segmented the sorbitan monostearate market based on the below-mentioned segments:  

Global Sorbitan Monostearate Market, By Product Form

• Liquid
• Powder

Global Sorbitan Monostearate Market, By Application

• Food and Beverage
• Pharmaceuticals
• Cosmetics and Personal Care
• Others

Global Sorbitan Monostearate Market, By Regional Analysis

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
  • UAE
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Qatar
  • South Africa
  • Rest of the Middle East & Africa